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Michael Okwu: Sean 'Puffy' Combs verdict

Michael Okwu

CNN's Michael Okwu has been covering the trial of rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs and was in the courtroom when the verdicts were announced.

Q: What can you tell us about the atmosphere in the courtroom as people waited for the verdict?

OKWU: There was a noticeable shock on the faces of many reporters, some of the well-wishers and employees when it became clear that the judge was announcing that a verdict was about to be read. Shortly after the judge took the stand, at least 30 armed court officers surrounded the courtroom, and it became clear that a verdict was coming down. Combs' mother and her friends who had been chatting animatedly suddenly became completely silent. In fact, for much of the next 10 to 15 minutes before the judge announced that he was formally bringing the jury back into the courtroom, silence prevailed.

Q: Did the jury or the judge show any expression as the verdicts were read?

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OKWU: Judge Charles Solomon, who had been an amiable but no-nonsense judge through the course of the seven-week trial, was his normal stoic self. But the jury, which had been rather stoic throughout the testimony and cross- examinations, displayed signs of deep emotion.

Several of the jurors appeared to be fighting back tears. One juror in particular, juror No. 6, a middle-aged white woman in her 50s, was clearly crying, occasionally looking up at the ceiling, and visibly uncomfortable. One could only conclude that she either felt great sympathy for the defendants, or that she was disturbed by the outcome.

There was a sense among the reporters watching that this was not a happy deliberation.

Q: Was the jury polled?

OKWU: Yes. It was polled on each count in each verdict for each defendant. The jurors' physical and facial expressions belied the resolution in their voices. When the court clerk asked each juror to answer "yes" or "no" to the question of whether the verdict that was read was indeed their verdict, they each clearly and resolutely said "yes."

Q: How did the atmosphere surrounding the courtroom today compare with the rest of the trial?

OKWU: The prosecution called this case a fight against "the arrogance of power." The defense called it a "fraud," but from any angle, it was definitely high drama. For at least six weeks, people waited to hear if Combs' then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, was going to testify. Also, there was great anticipation in the courtroom when the defense presented its case.

There was also anticipation when Combs took the stand in his own defense, but none of that compared to the high drama of today's verdict. The courtroom was packed. Reporters were sitting shoulder to shoulder, counting, looking around the room at the more than 30 armed court officers and trying to get a sense of what was going through the minds of the friends and relatives of all the interested parties.

Q: We have not heard much about the victims of the shooting. What can you tell us about the three people who were injured?

OKWU: Three people were injured on December 27, 1999. One woman, Natania Rueben, was shot in the face and still has a bullet fragment in her face because it would be too complicated to remove. Another victim was only slightly injured, and was treated and released from the hospital the same evening.

All three victims have filed civil suits against Combs, and the defense attorneys tried to discredit the victims' testimony because of those multimillion-dollar suits.

Q: As you were waiting for the verdict today, what scenes stand out in your mind?

OKWU: It was very interesting to watch all the parties mill about in the halls before the verdict was read. It is a very colorful, very fashionable, and an extraordinarily stylish scene for the average city courthouse. Many of the reporters noticed several variations of stylish cell phones and electronic gadgetry. There were high-priced celebrated defense attorneys like Johnnie Cochran and Benjamin Brafman, high-priced clothes, and high-priced electronic gadgets in that hallway.

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March 7, 2001
Witness for Puffy's co-defendant says he saw gun, can't ID holder
March 2, 2001
Defense rests in Puffy Combs trial
March 1, 2001
Prosecutor says Puffy violated gag order
February 28, 2001
Defense witnesses say they did not see Combs with gun
February 22, 2001
Driver testifies he saw Puffy with gun
February 15, 2001
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February 14, 2001
Prosecution witness says gun was found in Combs' vehicle
February 8, 2001

Puff Daddy
New York City Police Department
New York State Unified Court System
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